export_dem

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why export_dem needs a policy

This tool generates and writes data to disk (a raster file export), which is a reversible Write operation. While it creates file system artifacts, it does not delete the original DEM, execute arbitrary code, move financial resources, or trigger irreversible changes to the Metashape project itself.

From the tool's definition Tool performs 'Export the DEM to a raster file' — creates a new file output from processed 3D data without deleting or modifying the original DEM within Metashape.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access export_dem gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control export_dem

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Metashape MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for export_dem:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "export_dem": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "export_dem_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

export_dem stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Metashape MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Metashape MCP Server tools

Destructive clean_model Remove model artifacts based on filtering criteria. Destructive clear_dem Remove the DEM from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_depth_maps Remove depth maps from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_masks Remove masks from cameras. Destructive clear_model Remove the 3D model from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_orthomosaic Remove the orthomosaic from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_point_cloud Remove the dense point cloud from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_tiled_model Remove the tiled model from the active chunk to free memory.

All 112 Metashape MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about export_dem

What does the export_dem tool do? +

Export the DEM to a raster file. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Metashape MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on export_dem? +

Register the Metashape MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_dem: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Metashape MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is export_dem? +

export_dem is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit export_dem? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the export_dem rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block export_dem completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for export_dem. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides export_dem? +

export_dem is provided by the Metashape MCP Server MCP server (jenkinsm13/metashape-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Metashape MCP Server tool call.

Start from Metashape MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →